{"id":12005,"date":"2025-02-14T16:51:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T16:51:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettingsitesreviewed.co.uk\/?p=12005"},"modified":"2025-02-14T16:51:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T16:51:55","slug":"ascot-races-preview-2025-ascot-chase-15-february","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettingsitesreviewed.co.uk\/blog\/2025\/02\/14\/ascot-races-preview-2025-ascot-chase-15-february\/","title":{"rendered":"Ascot Races Preview – Pic D’Orhy & L’Homme Presse in Ascot Chase Rematch"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ascot<\/p>\n

The only Grade 1 over fences at Ascot races today, the eponymous Betfair Ascot Chase, headlines the card in Berkshire on Saturday, 15 February. It features a rematch between last year’s first and second Pic D’Orhy and L’Homme Presse.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A distance of two miles five furlongs seems optimum for Paul Nicholls’ charge around here. Venetia Williams drops her horse back in trip after landing the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials Day, however, en route to another possible tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There is extra intrigue in the Ascot Chase this time around, however.<\/p>\n

That is due to the presence of Irish raider Corbetts Cross, another Gold Cup hopeful, and trainer Emmet Mullins hasn’t been shy about using unusual Cheltenham preps for this runner before. Willie Mullins also sends Blue Lord over from the Emerald Isle for a fascinating renewal.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere at Ascot races on this day, the chief supporting race is the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase. This features its own rematch from nearby Windsor as Hampton 1-2 Jingko Blue and Lowry’s Bar do battle again. There are also a number of handicaps for punters to get stuck into on horse racing betting sites<\/a> including the Swinley Chase.<\/p>\n

Step forward our experts who have been through all the runners on the main card with a fine toothcomb in search of value. See what they have to say about all the jumps races at this meeting below. Read on for expert analysis of six contests.<\/p>\n

Ascot Races Preview for the 2025 Ascot Chase Card<\/h2>\n

1:15 – 2m 7.5f Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (0-125)<\/h3>\n

Not an easy opener by any means. Handicap debutant\u00a0Bective Abbey<\/strong> could be anything, but hasn’t run for almost 300 days. The lightly-raced Nicky Henderson trained favourite doesn’t represent value, so instead\u00a0HARDY FELLA<\/strong> looks an each-way alternative. Trained by Emma Lavelle, he has a good record in staying hurdle races like this.<\/p>\n

Hardy Fella, up 5lb for stringing them out at Market Rasen last time, is also a notable outside ride for Harry Cobden. Doncaster winner\u00a0Blue Hop<\/strong> could also be of interest, but he’s now 10lb worse off with re-opposing third and bottom weight Golden Cosmos<\/strong>. That’s because Dr Richard Newland books stable conditional Luke Scott for the ride and he takes 5lb off.<\/p>\n

Ithaka<\/strong> is also lurking towards the foot of the handicap here and could easily outrun his odds. Towards the top of the weights, the market speaks favourably of\u00a0Dubrovnik<\/strong> Harry<\/strong>, and course and distance winner\u00a0Thank You Ma’am<\/strong>. The latter represent mother-daughter trainer-jockey duo of Georgie and Olive Nicholls up 7lb for making all here the last day.<\/p>\n

1:50 – 3m Grade 3 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udd34\u26aa\ufe0f JINGKO BLUE adds to what has been a great weekend as he follows up his chase debut victory to maintain his unbeaten start to life over fences. pic.twitter.com\/BnxXpH19z2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) January 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n